Van Wyk: Hudson my hero

He used the same bat as Hudson, and could play pull shots similar to that of the former Proteas opening batsman.

Van Wyk says that he had looked up to dad Cobus’s favourite players from a young age, but after Hudson scored his century (163) in his Test debut in the West Indies in Barbados in 1992, he saw a lot of the stylish opening batsman in himself.

“I don’t think he realises it, and it may sound strange because he is now the selection chief. But it’s at the beginning of your high school days that you start finding heroes. I was playing good hook shots at that stage and he was also good at it,” said Van Wyk.

“My first sponsorship was from Open Championship, because Andrew [who also used Open Championship bats] was my hero. I used Open Championship for almost my entire high school career.”

Van Wyk added that former Windies captain Jimmy Adams was like an older brother for him and had the biggest influence on his career.

“He is probably the guy that had the biggest impact on me.”

Adams joined the then Free State Eagles as captain for the 2001/02 season.

“He spoke to me a lot about the psychological aspects on the game during his two years here,” said Van Wyk.

Adams was a sounding board for him and, according to Van Wyk, an example of how a cricketer should conduct himself on and off the field.

“He was almost like an older brother in cricket,” Van Wyk added.

Van Wyk was thrown in at the deep end for his national debut in the Tri-Nations final between South Africa and England at Lord’s in 2003.

His experience of the MCC headquarters in London, however, will not live as strong in his memory as the recent one at a packed Moses Mabhida Stadium. He singled out his blitz match against India there as one of the highlights of his career.

Sport24

Comments

Brian - 2011-02-03 23:12

Trying to stay in favour with the selector[s]..?

myblackwatchdog - 2011-02-04 09:31

Ja

Bob - 2011-02-03 23:39

That is so NOT hidden. Hudson was lucky to have lasted as long as he did and Van Wyk has taken forever for recognition - so other than the need to feel wanted, where is the similarity?

Sheldon - 2011-02-04 09:14

Agree, Hudson was lucky to have played so many games for SA

mupet-killer - 2011-02-04 00:00

what i remember is hudson getting 1st ball ducks half the time haha. good player but bad selector. how could you deprive us of a power-hitter mr. hudson? robin peterson . . . why?

KUNZIE - 2011-02-04 05:57

I remember a few of Andrew's knocks as well...the one where he and Kepler took us took victory over Australia in the first world cup.His 163 on Test Debut and a few others.He scored 2007 runs more than you in test cricket,2559 in ODI'S and over 9000 first class runs.I bet the only cricket you have played is on some cabbage patch.
Albie Morkel was not selected because A,his bowling form is not up to scratch and he can't play spin bowling.Int'l captains have fiqured this out and bring their spinners on as he walks to the wicket.With the CWC being played in India he is espiecally vulnerable and Robin Peterson is an additional spin option in our limited spin bowling stocks...YOU ARE A MUPPET

FuzzyStorm - 2011-02-04 08:44

well said Kunzie

Spike1977@24.com - 2011-02-04 13:46

Is ja Kunzie!!!!!!

Parko - 2011-02-04 06:58

Actually Hudson was a good player of the cut and pull and you can see some of that in Van Wyk

Mike@CapeT - 2011-02-04 07:15

Andrew was a very classy player! Unfortunately, when things got tough.....Andrew disappeared. Didn't have the temperament!